A comprehensive study for a classification scheme for dwellings in Brazil

ABNT NBR 15575 was published in 2013 and establishes acoustic insulation criteria for residential buildings in Brazil. This standard presents three levels of performance - minimum (mandatory), intermediate, and superior - through an informative annex that classifies the acoustic performance for each requirement. Even after ten years of publication, the application of the standard is still not fully consolidated, although its application is mandatory under Brazilian law. This article proposes a classification of the entire acoustic system of dwellings, intending to enable the general public to understand acoustic performance quickly and intuitively, thus encouraging its application. The proposed classification scheme is based on ISO/TS 19488:2021, which presents harmonized criteria for different acoustic requirements. A large database of field measurements of building systems, typical of Brazil and obtained in different regions, was analyzed to verify the distribution of samples using this new scheme. An A/B/C/D scale is proposed, and results are presented for airborne sound insulation/impact between dwellings, airborne sound insulation for facades, and criteria for equipment sound levels in commercial buildings.